What is New Age?

Friday, January 28, 2011

Painting by Ray Swartz

The New Age movement is a spiritual way of life. It has no holy text, nor central organization, no official list of members, no formal clergy or geographic center, dogma, creed, etc. It is a free-flowing spiritual movement among a network of believers and practitioners who share somewhat similar beliefs and practices.

Some believe humans to have potential healing powers, such as therapeutic touch, which can be developed to heal others.

One of its primary traits is holding to "a holistic worldview," thereby emphasizing that the Mind, Body and Spirit are interrelated and that there is a form of Oneness and unity throughout the universe. It further attempts to create "a worldview that includes both science and spirituality."

The movement encompasses a wide range of ideas, including personal spiritual growth and self-realization, holistic medicine (including the use of crystals for healing), reincarnation, astrology, and the mystical energies said to be induced by pyramids.